Roll-up awning



ROLL-UP AWNING Filed Jan. 2, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lN/ENTOR Hen/9v NELSON,

HTTORNEYS H. NELSON ROLL-UP AWNING May 2, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 2, 1957 lh/l/EA/TOR: HHRRY NELSON) HrroR A/E/s y 2, 1951 H. NELSON 2,982,352

ROLL-UP AWNING Filed Jan. 2, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ":h'and end portion .of Figure 4,

UFliE Stat Patent ROLL-UP AWNING FiledJan. 2, 1957, Ser, No. 632,184

t "4 Claims. Cl. 160-62) The present invention relates to a roll-upawning. Certain ofthe, features of this invention have been disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 561,900, filed January 27, 1956', now Patent No. 2,894,572, issued July 14, 1959 and, as stated therein, the disclosed construction can be applied to other similar devices, such as blinds or shades, although it will be apparent that they have especial value in connectionwith the roll-up awning to be described. k

I A' preferred type of roll-up awning is made of a plurality of relatively narrow slats that are lockingly interfitted along their edges so that they makeupvan articulated curtain that can be rolled up'from or lowered over a window" or door. This curtain is preferably attached at its upper end to the frame of the opening, At its other end, it is attached to arms that can beswiveled out from supporting brackets, taken on the line 77 at the lower right corner of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a diametrical section through the right end of the winding device showing the winding. springtighk ened as when the curtain is down;

Figure 9 is a transverse section through the winding device, taken on the line9-9 at the right end of Fig ure 8;

V "Figure 10 is' a section taken on the line 10,--10 of Figure 9, showing the means attaching the winding cylinder caps thereto; a a I I Figure 11 is a fragmentary view of the winding cylinderto illustrate the way the curtain portion and caps can be attached to it;

Figure 12 is an elevation of one of the end caps for the winding cylinder;

Figure 13 is a view of the left end of the awning rolled up against the upper part of the window frame;

Figure 14 is a diametrical section similar to Figure 8, but showing the Winding spring in ,its partly relieved position as when the curtain is up;;

Fi'gure 15 is a view partly in section of a portion 0 the Winding cylinder showing the tie tape or cord;

r Figure 16 is an enlarged view of the upper hanging molding for the curtain portion of the awning; Figure 17 is a section on the line 17 -17 of Figure 16; Figure 18 is a view illustrating a cleat that is used to hold the drawstring or cord to the window frame;

a lower part of the frame of the opening, so as to project the lower end of the awning outwardly and downwardly from the window. These arms support a winding device that applies spring pressure capable of rewinding the awning. e e

.Broadly, it is an object of the invention to provide a construction that will enable most of the parts to be made up of available sheet and bar stock.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a winding deviceand arrangement that willcause the curtain H part of the awning to be; wound evenly without lateral displacement. I

An additional object is to provide a construction that i may be conveniently assembled, so that the awning may be sold Wholly or partly disassembled, and may be ashand end of-the modified winding device showing the- Figure 19 is a view of a clevis and cotter pin assembly- Figure 20 is a transverse;section similar to'Figure: 4,

but showing a modified construction; 1

Figure 21 is an enlarged-scale reproduction of the right hand end portion of Figure 20; V

Figure 22 is a diametrical section through the right Figure 24 is a fragmentary view of the modified winding cylinder to illustrate the way thecurtain portion and A further object is to provide a winding device towhich the curtain portionmay be easily attached and held securely. I 1

Other objects will appear from .the description to *follow.

In the drawings: i

Figure 1 is a perspectiveview of a window frame with the awning in lowered position thereon; p

Figure, 2 is a front elevation of the awning on the window frame, the latter being partly broken away;

caps can be attached to it;

Figure 25 is an elevation of one the-modified winding cylinder;

Figure 26 is a section similar to Figure 9, but showing a modified means for attaching the cylinder caps to the cylinder; t

Figure 27 is a side elevation of a spring holder;

of the end caps for Figure28 is an end elevation of the spring-holderof Figure 27 as viewed from the right hand end of the latter; v

Figure'3 is a section of the upper part of the awning and securing means therefor, taken on the line 3- 3 of Figure 2; v, f a

Figure 4 is a transversesection of the lower part of the awning, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is antenlarged-scale reproduction of the right v Figure 7 is a sectional view through oneof thej arrn Figure 29 is a view of a spring centering disc;

, Figure 30 is a view of a double-apertured washer;

Figure 31 is an end elevation of a spring tension re tainer'; 1 I

Figure 32 is a diametrical section similar toFigure 22, but showing the'winding spring'in its partly relieved position as when the curtain is up; and V Figur'e33' is a diametrical section similar to the right hand end of Figure 32, but showing a" further modified construction. V a r The awning comprises, in general, a curtain portion 24, to be attached to an opening such as a window frame 25. .Theupper part of the curtain portion 24 of the awning is securedto a hanger molding 26, whichfcon sists of a strip of, sheet, metalor the like having a plurality of key hole slots 27 that may be slipped over and locked under headed'attaching screws 28., The upper and lower edges of the hanger molding are offset one wardly from thewindowfrarne- 25, as is especially illustrated in Figures 3 and 17, and the extreme lower edge 30 is rolled under. At its opposite ends, the hanger molding 26 is provided with notches 31 for a purpose later to appear.

' The curtain portion 24 of the awning is made up of a series of slats 33, preferably of metal, the edges of which are oppositely rolled and the middle portions of which are given a somewhat reverse curve. Thus the upper edge of each of the awning slats 33 is rolled over at 34 so that itcan engage in a swiveling manner with the backwardly roller lower edge 35 of the adjacent slat or strip. The uppermost slat 33 has its upper edge 34 engaged in the rolled edge 30 of the hanger molding strip 26. These rolled interlocks are such as to prevent disengagement of adjacent slats but to permit a fairly free articulation of the slats. They do not, as such, constitute a part of the present invention.

The uppermost slat 33 is engaged onto the hanger molding 26 by being slipped in from the end thereof. The notches 31 permit the roll 30 to be slightly offset rearwardly as at 36, so as to limit the inward movement of the slat 33 across the molding strip 26 upon initial application thereto. After the parts are thus located, the opposite end of the roll 30 can easily be offset as at 37, by a hammervblow or the like, so as to retain the curtain slat on the molding. The lowermost slat 33 of the curtain portion of the awning has its backwardly rolled edge engaged in a groove provided in a cylindrical winding device such as that designated generally by the numeral 38.

The winding device 38 includes a cylinder 39 that can be formed of sheet metal. Oneedge of the sheet forming the cylinder 39 is shaped to form a groove 40 that extends the length of the cylinder. The edge of the metal forming the cylinder is then brought outwardly at something of an angle to a radius of the cylinder, where the opposite edge of the sheet forming the cylinder is crimped AILOBQBSB r over it, as illustrated at 41 in Figure 9. This provides the groove with a rigid lip or edge 41 projecting angularly across the opening of the groove. The lip or edge 41 terminates short of the ends of the cylinder 39, as is illustrated in Figure 11. Adjacent its ends, the cylinder 39 is provided with square openings 42.

End caps 44, that also may be made of stampings from i sheet metal, are provided to fit over the two ends of the cylinder 39. Each end cap 44 is provided with a relatively narrow flange or side wall 45, and with a plurality of tabs 46. It is also provided with a center bearing 47 that is stamped inwardly, as illustrated in Figures 8, 12 andl4.

The end caps 44 are fitted over the opposite ends of the cylinder 39. Their flanges 45 engage the outer surfaces of the cylinder, the lip 41 terminating short of the ends of the cylinder. The tabs 46 extend along the cylin- 'der to admit the flanges 45.

The tabs 46 of each end cap 44 are provided with inwardly projected prongs 48, stamped inwardly in the manner illustrated so as to snap into the openings 42 in the end of the cylinder 39. Figure 10 shows clearly the way. that the tabs 48 engage the edges of the openings 42 so that the end caps are held against endwise removal from the cylinder 39. The straight sidewalls of the openings 42 cooperate with corresponding walls of the tabs 48 to aid in preventing twistingofthe caps. This provides a sturdy construction which can be easily assem- ;bled by merely pressing the end caps into place.

Thetwo bearings 47 on the end caps support torsion :rods 52 and 53. The rod 52 projects out the left end of the cylinder 39 through its cap 44'and is bent over as illustrated at 54 to engage in the tubular arm 55. The opposite end of the arm 55 is, in turn, pivoted to a brack- 'et 56. Details of the arms will be described hereafter.

'pletely disassembled.

arm 60 that is pivoted at its other end to a bracket 61 attached to the window frame 25.

Each of the rods 52 and f53 has a torsion spring arrangement to wind up the awning. Since these are the same, it is necessary to describe only one of them, namely, the one about the rod 53.

The rod 53 passes through the end cap 44 and is supported in the bearing 47 thereof. The inner end of the rod 53 has a slot 64 that receives the final bend of a coil spring 65. The slot makes two end prongs 66 that can be squeezed together to lock the spring into the slot. The coil spring 65 has a considerable length since it is a torsion spring. Its other end is engaged in an opening in a spring holder 67. The spring holder 67 comprises a disc flanged at 68, and the flange is indented at 69 (Figure 5) to engage around the portion forming the groove 40. This enables the spring holder 67 to slide along the cylinder 39. axially, but prevents it-from rotating there- A hole 73 is provided in the cap 44 to receive a small screw or other like pin 74 engageable with the loop of the cotter pin 72, for a purpose to appear.

The two arms 55 and 60 are made of tubular stock such as lockseam steel tubing, capped with aluminum end caps 75 and 76. These parts are the same on both of the arms, and therefore need be described only once. 7 ,As shown in Figure 5, the arm 60 receives the bent end 59 of the rod 53. The end 59 has small ears or prongs 78 struck out therefrom.' The tubular arm. 60 has the end cap 75 pressed onto it. After the cap is pressed onto the arm 68, tabs 79 are bent into holes 80 in the arm 60, to secure the cap to the arm. The cap 75 has a double keyhole slot 81 through it, so that the rod end 59 may be passed through the cap, and then twisted 90 to the position illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, so that the rod 59 is secured in the arm.

The inner ends of the arms 55 and 60 receive aluminum caps 76 that are similar to the caps' 75, except that the caps 76 are pinned by clevises 82 into one of three holes in the brackets 56 or 61, as the case may be.

The presence of the three holes permits some adjustment in the mounting of the arm and simplifies the alignment of the two arms. The clevises 82 (Figure 19) are secured by cotter pins 83.

As shown in Figure 15, the middle of the cylinder 39 has a large hole 84 through the wall thereof and a smaller hole 85 opposite the hole 84. A draw cord 86 with a knot 87 on the end thereof is passed through both holes, the knot 87 stopping against the walls of the smaller hole 85 after it has passed through the larger hole 84. The other end of the cord 86 may be fastened to a cleat 88.

. Assembly This awning lends itself to being shipped in wholly or .stalled, the cost of installation is reduced by the simplicity thereof.

The package of parts will include the hanger molding strip 26, the curtain 24 of appropriate width and length, the winding spring roller assembly 38, the tubular arms 55 and 60, the brackets 56 and 61, and the appropriate attaching elements and screws. In some cases, it may be desirable to install the lower end of the curtain onto the winding roller 39 prior to shipment. However, the present description will go forward as if the parts were com- "g I Theupperend of the curtain 33 is installed ontothe hanger molding 27 by having the upper rolled edge 34 f the top slat slid endwise onto the lower rolled edge 3(! of the molding. Previously, one end 36 of the roll 30 is offset somewhat to limit movement of the curtain slat 33 ontothe molding strip; and after application of the curtain 24 to the molding 26 the other end 37 may be similarly offset to hold the parts in place against removal. 7 1

If the caps 44 are off the cylinders, the two rods 52 and 53, with the caps 44, the cotter keys 72, spring retainers 6'7, and the springs 65 in place, are enteredinto I the opposite ends of-the cylinder 39. The notches 69 in the spring holders 67 are aligned with the groove 40 in.-

-the cylinder 39 so that the spring holders 67, may be slid 9 cylinder.

into place. No=torsi on need be applied to the springs 65 at this stage of the assembly. i

The caps 44 are then installed. The tabs or ears 46 of the caps are lined with thefour holes 42 in the cylinder 39 and then the-caps are driven axially onto the The tabs 48 snap intoplaceh 'Owing to the '6 ]will also be wound up into theawning. In order to draw the awning down, the user need only pull on the cord 86 which causes the cylinder to unwind, freeing the curtain 33 as the arms 59 and 60 swing downwardly toward some 7 position such as that shown in Figure 1. The amount-of the lowering of the awning can be adjusted. When the awning is as low as desired, the cord 86 is attached to the cleat and the springs 65 thereafter will hold the awning taut.

To raise the awning again, the operator need only release the cord 86 from the cleat 83 and let the springs 65 retractthe awning as desired.

Figures through 33 illustrate various modifications of the awning constructionhereinbefore described. These modifications, now to be described, relate particularly to a winding device 38. In order best to correlate. the description with what has been previously set forth, like numerals have been employed to designate identical parts, and primed-numerals have been employed to designate modified parts having functions corresponding to those a parts designated by like numerals unprimed.

shapes of the holes 42 and the tabs 48, the tabs aid in holding the end caps 44 against rotation with respectto 1 them against removal by drawing the rolled edge 35 of the lowest slat 33 onto the lip 41 of the cylinder while the slat is tangential to the cylinder. The groove 40 receives theedge-SS; and if the slat rocks about the lip toward a position more radial with respect to the cylinder, the rolled edge of the slat enters the slot to such an extent that the slat cannot be pulled off the cylinder. This prevents excessive unrolling of the curtain from detaching the curtainfrorn the cylinder. a 7,

The cleat 83 is secured appropriately to the window frame. The'cord 82fis locatedonto the cylinder 39;

After the positionsof the parts have been appropriately f-marked, the screws 28 are put into the window frame to receive'the hanger molding 26. The brackets 55 and 61 60 hold the cylinder.

are attached to the sides of'the frame 25. The hanger molding may be placed on the screws 28. At thispoint,

h two Springs 65 maybe tensioned.

, One easy way to tighten the springs 65 is to remove the hanger molding 26 from the screws28 a'hd'wind the curtain 24 around the cylinder while the two arms 55 and Thenif the curtain 24 is drawn "from the cylinder, the two springs will be woundup equally. When the curtain'24 is fully-drawn out, the

'screws 74 are passed through'the holes 73 in the end heaps" 44 andinto the eyelets of the cotter pins '12 This will hold the bars 53 and 54 against unwinding-0f the lsprings; Then the curtain 24 may bel a'g'ain manually wound onto the cylinder and,,after withdrawal of the p u her.

screws 74, again'unwound in a manner to tighten thje After the springs have been appropriately tightened, the hanger molding -26"is again installed onto' the screws 28 During the winding and unwinding of h spr ngs. the spring holders slide along the "inside of the cylinder the eto.

It is an advantage ofthis construction that the tensioning of both springs 65. can be done at'th'e factory and the cylinder shipped in condition that the user. need only attach the arms 55 and 60 to the wall, insert thebent ends ;-54jan d 59, {attach the hanger strip-26, and rerjnoye the sarew's 74' to have the awning iii-condition forfus'e.

When the curtain is wound up, the tape orcord 86 39, but do' not'rotate. relatively To begin with then, a'modified cylinder 39' differs from the previously described cylinder 39 only in respect to having indentations 42' formed as clearly'illustrated in Figures 24 and 26in place of the originally disclosed rectangular apertures 42. The modified construction eliminates the possibilityof the prongs 48 being pressed inwardly to an extent which would interfere with the parts inside the cylinder 39'.

Another improvement which appears in the modified winding device 38' is the addition of a centering disc 90 and double apertured Washers 91 at the free inner end of the rod .53.

The disc 90 is shown removed in Figure 29, from which it will be observed that a slot 92 is proand 28.

vided for receiving the longitudinal bead 40 of the cyl inder 39';

the cylinder 39'; The assembly of the disc 90, along with the flanking washers 91, is shown clearly in Figures 22 and 32. g

A spring holder 67 is shown removed in Figures 27 This part is preferably formed from sheet metal so as to comprise a pair of elongated bars 94 serving to interconnect a spring retaining portion 95 and a centering portion 96. As best shown in Figures 22v and 23, the portion 95has an axially projecting flange 70 which serves as a bearing for the end coils of the tensioned Zing support for the rod 53 and spring 65. V

'itimethe broadened area of the engagement between the spring holders 67 and the longitudinal bead 4.0 eliminates I any possibility of deformation between these parts-which spring 65', the extended end of the spring being retained 'by bent-overtabs 97. The centering portion' 96 is pro- .vided with a central aperture 98 large enough to accommodate the springs 65' in its relaxed condition. Assemblcd as clearly illustrated in the drawing, the spring holder 67' has one of its bars 94'abutted with the longitudinal bead 40 of thecylinder 39', this extended surface engagement being ,such, as to providea freely slidablerelatiom shipfbetween the holder 67' and the cylinder 39.while at jthe same time retaining the former against rotation in the latter.

Apin 72 inserted through the rod 53 serves to prevent the rod from slipping toward the outside of the cylinder 39 This pin 72, in addition to extending through therod 53', extends through a bearing portion 99 of. a

tension retaining member 72". This member 72", shaped as clearly shownin Figures :22 and 31, is provided with an offset hole 190 located for alignmentwith the hole 73 in'the endcap 44', whereby a screw or pin 74 may be engaged inthe holes 73. and 100 so asto retain a pre wound tension of the spring 65 in a manner generally similar to that hereinbefore described.

Generally speaking, the modified winding device '38 incorporates improvements which provide better centraliz- At the same Also, four indentations93 are provided in the 'disc for clearance of the aforesaid indentations 42' of would of course have a deleterious effect upon operation of the device. Another improvement of primary impor tance is the provision of the member 72" with its aperture 100 disposed outside the end cap 44' so as to enable the pin 74' to be inserted without difliculty.

Figure 33 illustrates a further modified construction of the present invention wherein a ball bearing assembly 101 is incorporated in an end cap 144 engaged over the end of the tube 39'. In this modification, the central rod 153 has its outer end terminated without the right angle bend previously described. This enables the inner race of the ball bearing assembly 101 to be more easily disposed thereon, after which an end fitting 102, preferably of cast construction, is placed over the end of the rod 103 and pinned thereto by a pm 172. The member 102 has an extended tab portion 103 provided with an aperture for receiving a pin 174 adapted to extend on through the aperture 73 in the end cap 144. As is clear from Figure 33, the inner race of the hearing assembly 101 is disposed for free rotation-within the flange 170 of the end cap 144, and a bearing cap 104, preferably pressed out of sheet metal, is disposed over the outer race. The cap 104 is retained by tabs 105 extending through appropriate slots in the end cap 144 and bent over on the inside thereof.

The modified construction of Figure 33 clearly retains all of the features mentioned hereinbefore, with the added advantage of a frictionless bearing for the rotating assembly.

It should be evident from the foregoing that the constructions hereinbefore described provide awnings that are easily assembled and operated, whether in a manufacturing plant or by a home owner. A minimum number of parts are required, because variations in the width or length of the awnings involve only the use of slats and other parts of different widths, or more slats. The winding parts may be identical save only in the length of the cylinder.

These components may be made of relatively small pieces of metal, and therefore the cost is at a minimum. A maximum percentage of sheet metal parts are used, this having the advantage of permitting the use of forming and shaping dies so as to reduce the amount of physicallabor required, and yet only a few special dies are necessary.

For all of the reduction in cost in the manufacture, these constructions also provide for a strong sturdy awning and one that is attractive in appearance.

What is claimed is:

1. A roll-up awning, or the like, comprising a curtain formed of a plurality of identical slats having their edges oppositely curled so that they may be secured together into an articulated material, a winding roller formed of sheet metal in cylindrical form except with a -longitudinal edge projecting from the outer surface thereof and with an indentation'in'the metal adjacent that 1 .edge forming a longitudinal groove along the cylinder, the lowest curled slat edge of the curtain being engaged over the edge and receivable in the groove, the interengaging curled slat edge and cylinder groove being of complemental size and shape to prevent withdrawal of the slat from the'cylinder by the application of tension in the curtain in the direction transversely of the cylinder, but to permit Withdrawal by simple unhooking of the engaged edges aforesaid, a pair of rods, one extending intoeach end of the cylinder, coil springs, one around each rod, spring-retainers, one around each rod; each spring being anchored at one end to its rod and at its other end to its spring-retainer, the spring-retainers comprising means for maintaining centered alignment inside the cylinders and having clearance to receive the ridge :in the insideof the cylinder that forms the groove in .the outside thereof, said retainers having planar surfaces .for making surface abutment with said ridge so that the retainers are freely slidable along the inside surface of the cylinder, but are kept from rotation, flanged end caps fitted onto the opposite ends of the cylinder, the end caps having integral, inset prongs and the cylinder having deformations into which the prongs can engage, the shape of the prongs and openings being such as to hold the caps against axial movement ofi? the cylinder, and against twisting movement.

2. A roll-up article of the kind described, comprising a hollow winding cylinder, an end cap thereon, the end cap having central bearing means therein, a rod rotatably supported in the bearing means and projecting into and out of the cylinder, and bracket means attachable to a wall, or the like, to which the outer end of the rod is attached, the cylinder having an integral portion therein to render its interior non-circular, said integral portion extending along the length of the cylinder, a springretaining device within the cylinder engageable over the non-circular integral portion, whereby it is slidable along the interior of the cylinder, but not rotatable therein, and a torsion spring in the cylinder attached at one end to the rod and at the other end to the spring-retaining device, the spring-retaining device comprising a member having parallel spaced plate-like portions adapted for centered disposition in the cylinder and rigid means connecting the plate-like portions together including an element having a generally radial surface adapted to have surface engagement against the interior surface of the portion of the cylinder forming the groove, for non-binding sliding movement therealong.

3. A roll-up article of the kind described, comprising a hollow winding cylinder and an articulated curtain, said cylinder having an end cap thereon, the end cap having central bearing means therein, a rod rotatably supported in the bearing means and projecting into and out of the cylinder, the cylinder having an integral portion therein'to render its interior non-circular, said integral portion defining an external groove extending along the length of the cylinder and providing an articulated connection with the articulated curtain, a spring-retaining device within the cylinder engageable over the non-circular integral portion, whereby it is slidable along the interior of the cylinder, but not rotatable therein, a torsion spring in the cylinder attached at one end to the rod and at the other end to the Spring-retaining device, and bracket means attachable to a wall, or the like, to which the outer end of the rod is attached, the springretaining device comprising a member having parallel spaced plate-like portions adapted for centered disposition in the cylinder and provided with parallel bar-like connectors between said portions, said connectors having planar surfaces for slidable abutment with the portion of the cylinder which renders its interior non-circular.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein a spring tension retainer is secured to the rod, said retainer having a sleeve-like portion disposed over the rod adjacent the end cap, said retainer having also a radially extending tab disposed outside the end cap, a hole in said tab, 3. hole in the end cap opposite the hole in said tab, and a headed screw engageable through said holes to prevent both relative rotation and relative axial movement between the rod and the cylinder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 748,641 Newell Ian. 5, 1904 958,605 Doring May 17, 1910 1,562,105 McDonald Nov. 17, 1925 2,678,687 Armstrong May 18, 1954 2,894,572 Nelson July 14, 1959 V FOREIGN PATENTS 652.433 France Oct. 23,1928

304,641 Italy Jan. 13, 1933 

